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Miikka Kiprusoff won't publicly state he's calling it a career after this season.

Still, that's the general belief around the Saddledome these days.

Therefore, Friday's clash between the Calgary Flames and Anaheim Ducks could be the final time Kiprusoff suits up before the Sea of Red.

However, the Flames all-time leader in goaltending wins and shutouts continues to insist he hasn't made up his mind. So, his performance in Wednesday's 3-2 victory over the Detroit Red Wings -- even with the blooper-worthy goal surrendered late in the win -- Kiprusoff showed he still has what it takes to be an impact goaltender in the NHL.

With that in mind, here are five reasons Kiprusoff should consider returning for at least one more season.

He hasn't won a Stanley Cup.

As much as every Flames fan will insist the team was robbed of a goal when Martin Gelinas should have been rewarded with what could have been the winner in Game 6 of the 2004 Stanley Cup final, that decision won't be reversed. The Tampa Bay Lightning will go down as the champs that season.

Therefore, Kiprusoff is still in search of that elusive championship title.

The Flames would be hard-pressed to win a Cup next season, but should Kiprusoff be willing to come back and be traded to a contender, he could be a difference-maker in the right situation.

This season's struggles would be a tough way to end it.

Everybody knew Kiprusoff would finally not have a 70-game season this year.

What nobody could see coming was the other numbers.

Heading into Friday's clash with the Ducks, Kiprusoff has a 3.53 goals-against average and .877 save percentage -- shocking statistics to anybody who's seen his exploits since the 2003-04 season.

Those stats, the disappointment of being nowhere near the playoffs and even the frustration of a knee injury, are not the measure of Kiprusoff's abilities, and that may be something he wants to change.

He's not too old to still be a standout.

Kiprusoff still has one more season on his contract, worth US$1.5 million, but could earn another deal with a bounce-back season.

Sure, he'll be 37 in October, but that doesn't to mean he's ready for a rocking chair. If Kiprusoff's games could be kept to a reasonable number, in the 45-50 range, he could cobble together a winning record for a team with a strong defensive game.

Think of the ages the likes of Mike Vernon, Curtis Joseph, Ed Belfour and Dominik Hasek played until. Kiprusoff is not spring chicken, but doesn't have to hang up the pads.

He can still climb the all-time lists.

With 318 career wins, Kiprusoff is 23rd on the NHL's all-time list.

He's 29th with 44 shutouts.

With a strong season, he could jump substantially on both those lists.

He's already the leader on the Flames lists, but bumping himself higher among all the league's greats in history could give him some of the credit he hasn't received the past season or two.

The Flames could use him passing the torch.

Expect to see fellow Finn Karri Ramo sign with the club and join the team next summer, and be given the opportunity to be the No. 1 goalie next season.

The club also inked Reto Berra and will bring him from Switzerland to North America.

Kiprusoff could really help those two adapt their games to today's NHL.

Ramo, who has been a top goalie in the KHL for the past five seasons, would relish the opportunity to work alongside his countryman, who many Finnish goalies credit for helping NHL teams look at their nation for goalkeepers.

Top 5 reasons Flames goalie Kiprusoff should return to NHL

Miikka Kiprusoff won't publicly state he's calling it a career after this season.

Still, that's the general belief around the Saddledome these days.

Therefore, Friday's clash between the Calgary Flames and Anaheim Ducks could be the final time Kiprusoff suits up before the Sea of Red.

However, the Flames all-time leader in goaltending wins and shutouts continues to insist he hasn't made up his mind. So, his performance in Wednesday's 3-2 victory over the Detroit Red Wings -- even with the blooper-worthy goal surrendered late in the win -- Kiprusoff showed he still has what it takes to be an impact goaltender in the NHL.

With that in mind, here are five reasons Kiprusoff should consider returning for at least one more season.